Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

As believers prepare for Pentecost, normally an annual celebration, hearts and minds are inevitably cast on “who is, or what is, the Holy Spirit?”

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?  By Dr  D

As believers prepare for Pentecost, normally an annual celebration, hearts and minds are inevitably cast on “who is, or what is, the Holy Spirit?” Thoughts range from a misty cloud to a spurious force that violently shakes the body to some kind of ephemeral wind, but none of these go even close to describing the nature, person and work of the Holy Spirit.

What has not helped over the years are phrases like the “Holy Ghost,” which by its very terminology, tend to portray the Holy Spirit as some of intangible, indefinable and elusive presence with cloud-like substance not unlike ghouls, hobgoblins and friendly ghosts. Not so.

As long ago as 1660, great Puritan writers like Thomas Goodwin lamented that most Christians of his day failed to grasp or comprehend the real Person of the Holy Spirit, and failed to give Him the due glory He deserves. By the 19^th Century many were even denying that the Holy Spirit was a real Person at all, or that He was God. Fortunately, the birth of the Pentecostal Movement in the early 20^th Century began to change all that.

There are a number of proofs from the Bible that the Holy Spirit is a real Person. First, many personal characteristic are ascribed to Him, like intelligence (Jn.14.26) and emotions (Eph.4.30). Second, personal acts are performed by Him. He regenerates (Jn.3.5), teaches (Jn.14.26), bears witness (Jn.15.26), convicts (Jn.16.8-11), guides into truth (Jn.16.13), speaks (Acts 13.2), directs men in service (Acts 16.6f), and the like. Third, He relates to the Father and Son as a Person (2Cor.13.14). Fourth, He reacts as a Person to the way people treat Him. Hence, He can be tested (Acts 5.9), lied to (Acts 5.3), grieved (Eph.4.30), resisted (Acts 7.51), insulted (Heb.10.29), and even blasphemed (Matt.12.31f).

Best of all is when Jesus spoke of Him as a Counselor in highly personal tones (Jn.14.26, 15.26, 16.7). The disciples were indeed sad at the thought of Jesus’ impending departure (Jn. Chs 14-16), but the Lord assured them that “another counselor” would come. This Comforter was no gust of wind or faraway smoke, but none less than the Third Person of the Trinity Himself. The Holy Spirit is a Real Person - and He stands by You.